How can I check my cholesterol level at home?

Did you know that 2 out of 3 adults in the UK have raised cholesterol levels?

But what is high cholesterol, how can high cholesterol levels affect your health, and why should you take a cholesterol level test?

What is cholesterol?

Heart UK (the Cholesterol Charity) defines cholesterol as “a fatty substance which is made in the liver. It is found in some foods too.”

We all have some cholesterol in our bodies naturally as it helps keep our bodies ticking over. It is a component of our digestive fluid (bile), helps make vitamin D and some hormones, and is used by every cell.   

As cholesterol is a fat, it doesn’t dissolve in water, and so it travels through our blood with protein. 

What types of cholesterol are there?

There are two main types of cholesterol: high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL.)

HDL is known as the “good” cholesterol as it travels away from the liver to get broken down. On the other hand, LDL is the “bad” cholesterol as it travels to the cells that need it, but too much of it in your blood can cause fatty material to build up – raising the risk of a heart attack or stroke.  

What is considered a normal level of cholesterol?

The guide that Blood Pressure UK use to show what your cholesterol level should be is:

What medical conditions can high cholesterol levels cause?

If you have high cholesterol levels, this can mean there is fatty material building up in the walls of your arteries. If this fatty material breaks away, this can cause a blood clot to form, which could block the artery. If the artery blocked supplies your heart, this would lead to a heart attack. If the artery blocked supplies your brain, this would lead to a stroke. 

What is a cholesterol level test kit?

Fit2FlyTest’s home cholesterol test is aimed at giving you a reliable estimate of whether your overall cholesterol level is within normal limits. It is the most convenient way to test your cholesterol levels and monitor them without going to the doctor. You will also get the results in a matter of minutes, rather than waiting weeks (as can sometimes happen.)

How is the cholesterol level test performed?

The Fit2FlyTest cholesterol level test is easy to use; it just requires a small finger-prick blood sample to perform. 

All you have to do is prick your finger with the single-use lancet enclosed with the test and then apply one drop of your blood to the “test” area of the test card. 

After three minutes, you can check the colour of the test area against the comparative colour chart (enclosed with the test) and read your result. 

When should the cholesterol level test be performed?

For the most accurate results, you should take the cholesterol level test first thing in the morning.

For best results, you should carry out the Fit2FlyTest cholesterol level test on an empty stomach, and you should not have eaten or drunk anything in the 12 hours before the test is carried out. 

Make sure you check the test result in a well-lit area so that you can interpret the colour comparison test results more clearly.

What should I do if the test results indicate high cholesterol levels?

If the test results indicate high cholesterol levels, you should make an appointment with your doctor for further advice before any medical decisions are taken.

How do I dispose of the test components?

All test components in the cholesterol level test can be disposed of within your regular household waste. 

Further reading

If you would like to find out more about cholesterol levels, you may find the following resources beneficial:

• NHS – What is high cholesterol?
• Blood Pressure UK – Fats, cholesterol and your blood pressure
• British Heart Foundation – Why should you have your cholesterol levels tested?
• Heart UK (The Cholesterol Charity) – Cholesterol